Description: From the hustle and bustle of Ambleside town centre, this walk takes us to the picturesque Stockghyll waterfalls before heading out into open countryside, up Wansfell Pike and then along to Wansfell (marked as Baystones on OS maps). Although the route is moderately steep in places, the ascent is on largely well-pitched paths, and the payback for our efforts are superb views over Ambleside and the complete length of Windermere.
Route: From the start point, our route follows a minor road out of town before heading into Stockghyll Woods. Once here, we have time to explore the lovely surroundings and wander alongside Stock Ghyll itself and enjoy the views of the elegantly cascading water.
Out of the woods we take the gradually ascending track before forking off to the right and ascending more steeply up the pitched-path that takes us to Wansfell Pike. Although it is a moderately steep ascent, we won’t be in a hurry and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views back over Ambleside. Soon enough we will reach the top of Wansfell Pike where we’ll stop for a brew and enjoy what is possibly the best view from this fell as from here the entire length of Windermere is visible.
Our route continues to the north-east and follows the grassy (and after heavy rain, a bit squishy) ridge for around a kilometre before reaching the highest point of Wansfell itself (487 m). On OS maps this marked as Baystones, and I wonder how many “Wainwright Baggers” have climbed Wansfell Pike believing they had summited Wansfell, only to be inadvertently mislead by the vagaries of cartography?
After the high point it is a simple case of retracing our earlier steps back to Ambleside, where we’ll go to the Queen’s Hotel for a lemonade and a chat.
Grade: Moderate
High Point: Wansfell (marked as Baystones on OS maps) (487 m)
Height gain: Approx. 530 m (1,700 ft)
Distance: Approx. 4.8 miles (7.7 km)
Meet Time: 11.00 am
Start Time: 11.15 am
Time: Approx. 4.5 hours
Start / Finish: Outside the Tourist Information Centre in Ambleside (post code LA22 9BS, grid reference NY 377 045).
A Note on Timings: This route has been selected to fit in with the Summit Good Ramblers Annual General Meeting that is being held on the same day at 5.30 pm at the Queen’s Hotel, Ambleside. Although graded moderate, with a steep ascent, the timings will allow a leisurely pace to be set with plenty of relaxation stops and still have sufficient time to get to the AGM without being rushed.
Car Parking: There are numerous pay and display car parks in Ambleside. (Road side car parking is normally restricted to permit holders or is limited time (typically only an hour) using a parking disc.)
Buses: Public transport is available from Keswick to Ambleside and also from Lancaster & Kendal to Ambleside. Both directions use the Stagecoach 555.
Leader: Wayne
Please let Wayne know in advance by 8.00 pm on Friday if you are coming on this walk (text 07753 121168)
If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk.
Route: From the start point, our route follows a minor road out of town before heading into Stockghyll Woods. Once here, we have time to explore the lovely surroundings and wander alongside Stock Ghyll itself and enjoy the views of the elegantly cascading water.
Out of the woods we take the gradually ascending track before forking off to the right and ascending more steeply up the pitched-path that takes us to Wansfell Pike. Although it is a moderately steep ascent, we won’t be in a hurry and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views back over Ambleside. Soon enough we will reach the top of Wansfell Pike where we’ll stop for a brew and enjoy what is possibly the best view from this fell as from here the entire length of Windermere is visible.
Our route continues to the north-east and follows the grassy (and after heavy rain, a bit squishy) ridge for around a kilometre before reaching the highest point of Wansfell itself (487 m). On OS maps this marked as Baystones, and I wonder how many “Wainwright Baggers” have climbed Wansfell Pike believing they had summited Wansfell, only to be inadvertently mislead by the vagaries of cartography?
After the high point it is a simple case of retracing our earlier steps back to Ambleside, where we’ll go to the Queen’s Hotel for a lemonade and a chat.
Grade: Moderate
High Point: Wansfell (marked as Baystones on OS maps) (487 m)
Height gain: Approx. 530 m (1,700 ft)
Distance: Approx. 4.8 miles (7.7 km)
Meet Time: 11.00 am
Start Time: 11.15 am
Time: Approx. 4.5 hours
Start / Finish: Outside the Tourist Information Centre in Ambleside (post code LA22 9BS, grid reference NY 377 045).
A Note on Timings: This route has been selected to fit in with the Summit Good Ramblers Annual General Meeting that is being held on the same day at 5.30 pm at the Queen’s Hotel, Ambleside. Although graded moderate, with a steep ascent, the timings will allow a leisurely pace to be set with plenty of relaxation stops and still have sufficient time to get to the AGM without being rushed.
Car Parking: There are numerous pay and display car parks in Ambleside. (Road side car parking is normally restricted to permit holders or is limited time (typically only an hour) using a parking disc.)
Buses: Public transport is available from Keswick to Ambleside and also from Lancaster & Kendal to Ambleside. Both directions use the Stagecoach 555.
Leader: Wayne
Please let Wayne know in advance by 8.00 pm on Friday if you are coming on this walk (text 07753 121168)
If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk.
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